Chapter 1: What's up with Haruhi?

They all noticed. Ever since the Ouran Fair, Haruhi's behavior had changed. She had been spending a lot more time in the Third Music Room. Rather than packing up to go home as soon as Host Club hours were over, she would complete her homework and then settle in with a stack of books that she was storing in a cabinet. She's even made it a habit to ask one of the other hosts for a ride home. They also noticed how tired she appeared to be.

After a week, Tamaki couldn't take it anymore. As soon as he entered the Third Music Room, he checked to see if Haruhi was there. Because she wasn't, he went straight to the twins. Looking at both of them because he still couldn't tell them apart, he asked, "Hikaru, has Haruhi said anything to you about what's going on? Why has she changed her habits?"

Hikaru just shrugged. "I haven't a clue, Tono."

Assuming that it was actually Hikaru that responded, Tamaki rounded on Kaoru. "What about you?" he demanded. "Why is my precious daughter acting this way? Is there some huge project for one of your classes? Have you perverts been harassing her in class again?"

"It's not a project for any of our classes. If you haven't noticed, all those books she has in the cabinet are law books," Kaoru replied. "Maybe you should, I don't know, ask her?" He gave Tamaki a pointed look.

"I don't want my precious daughter to get mad at me," Tamaki whined. "You know how she can be."

Just then, Honey and Mori entered, discussing Mori's upcoming kendo tournament. Tamaki hurried over to them. "Honey-sempai, has Haruhi told you why she's changed her habits?" Tamaki demanded. "I know you gave her a ride home yesterday."

"Sorry, Tama-chan, she hasn't mentioned anything to me. I'm just glad she's been more willing to allow us to help her, like giving her a ride home," Honey chirped. "I've noticed that she's been reading a lot of law books. Maybe she's preparing for college entrance exams or applying for scholarships. She does want to be a lawyer."

Mori nodded his agreement. Noticing Honey yawning widely, Mori shooed him toward the bed in the back corner so he could take a nap before it was time for host club hours.

Tamaki paced around the room, muttering to himself and gesturing wildly. "She still has two years of high school. It doesn't make sense that she would be applying for scholarships or studying for entrance exams this early." Then a thought occurred to him, "Wait, has someone been threatening her? Is that why she's reluctant to go home and when she does go, she asks for a ride?"

Kyoya stepped quietly through the door and surveyed the room. Hikaru and Kaoru were sitting on their usual sofa with their heads together. "Probably plotting mischief. I'll have to keep an eye on them," he thought darkly.

Mori-sempai was tucking Honey-sempai in for a short nap before club began in an hour. Kyoya nodded to himself that all was well in that quarter.

Next he noticed that Haruhi had not arrived yet. "I hope everything is alright with her. I've noticed that she's been acting...different lately."

Finally noting Tamaki's agitated behavior, Kyoya decided that was where he should focus his attention first. Approaching Tamaki, he said, "What seems to be the problem?"

Tamaki threw up his hands dramatically and shouted, "Okaa-san! Please tell me you know what is wrong with our precious daughter. Why has her behavior changed? No one else has any idea. Has she told you anything?"

Kyoya adjusted his glasses and smirked ruefully. "I've told you-stop calling me 'okaa-san'. And when will you get it through your head that Haruhi is not your daughter? For your information, she has not confided in me abut I have also noted the changes in her behavior.

"She no longer bolts for home as soon as Host Club hours are over. Spending time with us outside of club hours no longer chafes her like an ill-fitting shoe. She actually seems to genuinely welcome the interactions. Rather than her dogged independence, she has taken to asking for help, and even rides home."

Pausing for a moment to reflect on other changes, he continued. "I don't know if any of you have noticed, but all the law books she has been pouring over lately are related to family law and adoption. I fear that something might be wrong with Ryoji, Haruhi's father."

Tamaki's expression was somber. "Do you think we should ask her about it?"

Kyoya opened his mouth to speak but, hearing the door open and seeing Haruhi enter, he closed it without uttering a sound. Shaking his head, he responded, quietly, for Tamaki's ears only, "For now, I think we should let her tell us what's going on when she is ready. We just need to be patient until then."

Heaving a sigh, Tamaki murmured, "You're probably right. But let's keep a close eye on her, regardless." Bypassing the corner where his usually grew mushroom, he headed to the sofa where he entertained his princess and checked to be sure everything was in order.

With his eyes following Haruhi's progress to the kitchen to begin preparing refreshments, Kyoya mutter, "I always do. Even moreso since she stood up to my father." But Tamaki didn't hear.

^^^^^FLASHBACK – FIRST DAY OF OURAN FAIR^^^^^

*SLAP* Kyoya's cheek stung from his father's blow. Keeping his stoic mask firmly in place so his father could not see his surprise, he surreptitiously looked around for his glasses, knocked away by the slap.

He heard the collective gasp from the crowd and Haruhi's voice calling, "Kyoya-sempai". He tried to focus on her instead of his father muttering, "Is this how my son has been wasting his time?"

There are protests from the crowd and the other hosts, but those all focus on his father. Only she focused on him. Before walking away, his father growled, "You are an embarrassment to the Otori name."

Her voice uncertain, she asked, "He wasn't upset with you because of the Host Club, was he?" Haruhi's soft attention filled his ears and touched his soul. She sounded like she thought the Host Club was her fault.

I had to reassure her somehow, so I said offhandedly, "Don't worry about it. It's not like I haven't been expecting this." And I can almost believe those empty words because she cares.

^^^^^END FLASHBACK^^^^^

Kyoya shook his head as if to dislodge the memory. "I just can't stop thinking about her. How she called my name. How she focused on me while everyone else was focused on my father. And then there's how she stood up to him—actually talked back to him."

^^^^^FLASHBACK—SECOND DAY OF OURAN FAIR^^^^^

After Haruhi's very uncomfortable meeting with Éclair Tonnere, Kyoya walked up and said, "Thank you for all your hard word until now, Haruhi. With this last designation from Lady Éclair, you have met your quota. The debt you owed from breaking the Renaissance vase has been paid off. You can quit being a host any time now."

"Oh how much it hurt to say those words to her," Kyoya thought, especially as Haruhi just sat there looking at him in disbelief and shock.

Yoshio stepped up behind Kyoya and said, "Although you may hold a misconception you have all the time you want when you are young, reality isn't always like that. Stop wasting your time on useless activities."

His condescending tone snapped Haruhi out of her trance. She stood and fiercely declared, "At the Host Club, Kyoya-sempai works very had so that everyone can be happy. By making everyone happy, we also feel accomplished and please inside. Is making everyone happy that worthless an activity? I think that Kyoya-sempai is amazing!"

Yoshio just walked away without even acknowledging Haruhi's statement.

^^^^^END FLASHBACK^^^^^

"For all that Haruhi is a commoner, she understands the need to keep clients and business partners happy. That is one area my father tends to forget, preferring intimidation," Kyoya pondered. "And she said I was amazing. She stood up to my father and said I was amazing."

With one last glance toward the kitchen where the object of his thoughts was working diligently at her tasks, he shook his head in wonder. Setting those thoughts aside, he went back to work on the Host Club's accounts.

Haruhi paced the floor restlessly. Since she came to the realization that she considered the Host Club her family following the events during the Ouran Fair, she had been working on an idea to protect them. "This is taking too long. What if Kyoya's father—or Tamaki's grandmother—does something before I have things ready? How can I protect them? I don't want to lose them…any of them. I need to get the safety net in place as soon as possible."

"Haruhi?" Ranka (as Ryoji had not changed out of his feminine persona yet) asked tentatively when she returned from work late to find Haruhi pacing the floor, muttering to herself. "Why aren't you in bed asleep? It's one in the morning and you have school tomorrow—or rather, later today."

Haruhi rubbed her eyes tiredly. "Sorry, Dad. I just can't get my thoughts to stop whirling. Each scenario is more improbably than the last, but my mind just keeps imaging ways I could lose the guys in the Host Club and I have to find a way to protect them."

"You still haven't been able to work out all the kinks in your plans?" Ranka inquired, wrapping her arms around Haruhi, rubbing her back gently, and placing a kiss on her temple. "It's funny. I should be jealous that you seem to be replacing me with six handsome, rich guys. But I'm actually glad that you've opened yourself up to deeper relationships. You have definitely blossomed into a lovely, caring young women since you met them."

"What if I can't get things set up in time? What if I lose them?" In a moment of despair, Haruhi actually whimpered as she clung to Ranka. "I can't lose them—not any of them."

"Shh, Baby Girl. You can do this. You have a lot of the information already. Hey, why don't you contact Ryo Naruse at the law firm where your mother used to work? Incidentally, he contacted me the other day. He wanted to know if you would be interested in an internship at the firm. Maybe you could work out an internship exchange? You do some office work for them and they help you with the legal set up?

Haruhi's face lit up and she grabbed Ranka in a huge hug. "That's a great idea, Dad. I'll need to clear it with Chairman Suoh as well, but that shouldn't be a problem."

"Good. You should probably also talk to the guys. They may have ideas and they definitely have resources that you haven't considered. Now, you get some sleep. I'll see you in the morning. Or at least later this morning," she said with a yawn.

"Night, Dad. Thanks."

Ranka watched Haruhi head for her bedroom. "She's grown so much since she met those boys. Kotoko, you would be so proud of our little girl. I'm glad she cares so deeply for her friends."

For the first time since the Ouran Fair, Haruhi slept peacefully.

Honey looked pensive as he followed Mori into the kendo dojo. "Takashi, would you mind if I don't watch kendo practice today?"

Mori cocked an eyebrow questioningly.

"I've been thinking about what Tama-chan asked the other day, about Haruhi. Why has she changed her behavior?" Honey supplied.

Mori's expression cleared, realizing what Honey wanted to do. "Go."

"Thanks, Takashi. I'll see you at Host Club later," Honey responded as he left the dojo in search of Haruhi.

"Where to look first?" he wondered. "I know—I'll start in the club room. If she's not there, she'll probably be getting books from one of the libraries."

Honey opened the door to the Third Music Room and stepped in quietly. Glancing around, he saw Haruhi seated at the table by the window, engrossed in a book with papers scattered around. She started as Honey walked to her side and asked, "Haru-chan, may I ask you a question?"

Smiling, she replied, "Sure Honey-sempai. What do you want to know?"

Honey fidgeted a little and then blurted, "We've all been wondering, why has your behavior changed?"

It was his turn to startle as Haruhi started to chuckle. "Let's go sit on the sofa, Honey-sempai, and I'll try to explain."

Puzzled, Honey followed her to the sofa where he and Mori usually entertained guests. He sat down tentatively. "I'm worried that she has something bad—no, that not right…depressing…no, not that either…troubling—that's it—to tell me."

Noticing the worried expression on Honey's face, she reached for his hand. "Hey, don't worry, sempai. It's nothing bad. I just figured we would be more comfortable here than at the table with all my clutter."

Honey visibly relaxed and gave Haruhi a small smile. "So…" he prompted, still holding her hand.

"When I first came to Ouran, I didn't plan to get involved in any way. I was just going to concentrate on my studies. But then I encountered the Host Club and my life was turned upside down.

"At first I fought it. In some ways, my life was a lot like Hikaru and Kaoru's. My dad and I were my world since my mom died. Just as I unwittingly invaded the twins' world, the Host Club invaded mine.

"Seeing how Kyoya was treated by his father-and Tamaki by his grandmother—as well as the offhanded dismissal of the Host Club, I was incensed by the injustice."

Haruhi paused to look at Honey-sempai. She couldn't read his expression, but he finally said, "Go on."

Nodding, she continued, "So, the reason my behavior has changed is because I realized a few things during the Ouran Fair and it took me some time to mentally sort it all out."

"First, we are family. I know, I know, Tamaki has been saying that all along. But I," she emphasized, pointing to herself, "I finally understood what he meant. Until now, 'family' meant my dad and me, since my mom died when I was young. That's family by blood, born into it, no choice in the matter."

"We," Haruhi gestured around the room to indicate the host club, "we are family of the heart, choosing each other, despite—or maybe because of—our flaws and differences. It first occurred to me when Kyoya informed me that Éclair had paid off my debt and I was no longer shackled to the host club. In that moment, I realized that I wanted to spend time with you guys.

"When we heard Tamaki was leaving to marry Éclair, it felt like someone was trying to tear off an arm. No matter how much he annoyed me in the past, I didn't hesitate when Kyoya told the twins and me to bring him back. It was the only thing to do. We had to keep our family together."

Honey nodded, acknowledging Haruhi's point.

"Second," she continued, "we need each other. I know you've all been trying to teach me that I can and should ask for help. That was a hard lesson for me to learn because I always had to take care of myself and my dad. Helping each other is really the only way to know that we are connected to each other's lives. Like when Tamaki needed us to bring him back. We needed you and Mori-sempai to clear the way so we could go after Tamaki. And we all needed Kyoya to coordinate everything so our efforts wouldn't be wasted.

"I finally realized I needed to rely on you guys because you all needed to know that I trust you. I had to stop closing myself off from people, if I was every going to grow and mature."

Haruhi paused for a moment to collect her thoughts before continuing.

Honey scooted closer and wrapped an arm around her waist, giving her a quick hug. "Thank you for telling me this, Haru-chan. It means a lot that you're confiding in me."

Smiling, Haruhi slipped an arm around his shoulders and gave him a hug in return, leaning her head against his. "It hit me just today that I needed to talk to someone about this. I'm glad you asked just after I finished thinking it all through."

"Now, where was I," she continued. "The third thing I learned is that some of my family is hurting deeper than they realize or are willing to admit. I was so, so angry about the way Kyoya's father slapped and belittled him in front of everyone. And then Tamaki's grandmother…" Haruhi practically growled, "I can't believe she blames Tamaki for his parents' actions. He has done everything to try to meet her standards, but she treats him like trash. I wish there was some way I could protect Kyoya and Tamaki."

Honey patted her hand, drawing her out of the memories and her anger.

Haruhi smiled ruefully, "Thanks, sempai. Not the headspace I should be in when our guests arrive in a few minutes."

He just smiled and asked, "Is that all?"

"One more thing," Haruhi replied. "I realized that I enjoy spending time with you guys. Despite my protests, I've even begun to enjoy the outrageous cosplay and the bizarre outings. I'm tired of being alone and I can't go back to that, not with what I've found here with you guys."

"I'm glad," Honey said. "Glad you've found your place here and glad you told me these things."

Before Haruhi could respond, the doors banged open and the twins sauntered in. "Haruhi, we've been looking all over for our toy," Hikaru announced when he spotted her on the sofa with Honey.

Jokingly, Haruhi answered, "I haven't seen our toy and I'm not your maid to clean up after you and put away your things."

Hikaru and Kaoru were about to return the verbal barb when Tamaki burst through the door, pointed dramatically at the twins and shouted, "Keep your hands off my precious daughter, you perverts!"

Haruhi shook her head and whispered to Honey, "And here we go again." Then she stood up to head to the kitchen to begin preparing refreshments for their guests.

Honey grabbed her hand before she took her second step. When she turned to look at him, he said, seriously, "Thank you for confiding in me, Haruhi."

She smiled at him fondly. "You're welcome, sempai."

That tableau-Honey holding Haruhi's hand and them smiling fondly at each other-was what Kyoya saw when he entered the Third Music Room. His eyes narrowed, his mouth tightened into a frown, and he clenched his fists. "What's going on here?" he murmured to himself. "It's bad enough Tamaki's interested in her. Is Honey-sempai wooing her as well?"

Taking a deep breath, he walked to his usual table and pulled out his laptop. "I need to get my emotions under control before the guests start to arrive. I have no claim on her. I haven't even hinted at how I feel about her. And I can't because Tamaki likes her and he's my best friend." Pushing his misery into the back of his mind, he started preparing for Host Club to begin.